Key Holding Device

ABSTRACT

A key holding device with a top cover plate, a bottom cover plate, a plurality of spacer members, a slide pin and a pair of threaded retaining fasteners. The spacers are sized to fit within the aperture of a standard key. The pair of threaded retaining fasteners are sized to fit within the spacers. The top and bottom cover plates each have matching through channels that engage the slide pin. The keys are retained within the top and bottom cover plate and the slide pin capable of moving the keys out of the perimeter of the top and bottom cover plates so that a person can have access to them. A preferred embodiment includes flat discs fixedly attached to the slide pin so that the slid pin remains substantially upright during the sliding action.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of key holding devices andmore specifically to a key holding device with a sliding post to helprotate keys out from the holder.

Various types of key holders have been used by people for many years tohelp retain keys in an organized manner that lets users comfortablycarry the keys in their pockets and lets them quickly have access to anyone of the keys when needed to unlock a door or any other lockable item.

In recent years, certain types of key holders have been available forsale that use a pair of threaded retaining screws attached to a supportplate to allow keys to be rotatably swing out when needed, but tocompactly be stored on the support plate when not needed. For example,the “KeySmart” key holder which is expandable by enabling the user toremove and replace retaining screws which are longer or shorterdepending on the number of keys to be stored on the holder.

However, there are deficiencies in the prior technology. First, aportion of the keys are left exposed which can cause abrasion of fabricin one's pockets and which may cause discomfort to the user. Second, theoverall shape of the key holder is not smooth which can cause additionaldiscomfort to the user when being worn in a tight-fitting pants pocket.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the invention is to provide a key holding devicethat is compact and contoured in a pebble-like manner to fit easily intoa person's pocket.

Another object of the invention is to provide a key holding device thatuses a sliding vertically oriented post to help push keys out of theholder.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, anembodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there isdisclosed a key holding device comprising: a top cover plate, a bottomcover plate, a plurality of spacer members, a slide pin, a pair ofthreaded retaining fasteners, said spacers sized to fit within theaperture of a standard key, said pair of threaded retaining fastenerssized to fit within said spacers, said top and bottom cover plates eachhaving matching through channels, said through channels slidablyengaging said slide pin, said standard keys rotatably retained withinsaid top and bottom cover plate, and said slid pin capable of movingsaid keys out of the perimeter of said top and bottom cover plates sothat a person can have access to them.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and includeexemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in variousforms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects ofthe invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate anunderstanding of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a top view of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the invention with keys in the storedposition.

FIG. 3 is a side section view of the invention.

FIG. 4 is an end section view of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a left side view of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a right-side view of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the invention with a key partiallypulled out.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the invention with a key fully pulledout.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the invention showing all components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS WITH THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein.It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may beembodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed hereinare not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for theclaims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the artto employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailedsystem, structure or manner.

Referring now to FIG. 1 we see a top view of the invention 100. Tworetaining bolts 4, 6 hold the upper plate 2 and the lower plate 20together. An optional key ring retaining member 14 has been rotatablyattached to retaining bolt 6. A central post 12, also known as a slidepin, can slide the length of slot 16 so that when the post is slide oneway, it helps push key 18 out to the point where it can be grasped bythe user in location 28 and when pushed the opposite way, key 10 can begrasped by the user in location 26.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the invention 100 with keys in thestored position. Lower plate 20 can be seen supporting key 40. Post 12can be seen in the central position, ready to help push out keys when sodesired.

FIG. 3 is a side section view bisecting the invention 100. Post 12includes a top half and a bottom half that can be screwed together toform a single post 12. The post 12 includes integrated discs 12A, 12Bthat act to keep the post 12 upright when being pushed to either side ofthe slot 16. Spacers 32, 34 can be seen which help keep the top plate 2and bottom plate 20 in the proper position without impinging on the keys40, 41, 18 and key ring holder 14 stored between the two panels 2, 20.The spacers 32, 34 are sized to allow them to penetrate the aperture ofa standard key so that the key can rotate about the spacer. Fasteningscrews 4, 6 hold the entire assembly together.

FIG. 4 is an end section view of the invention 100. Post 12 can beclearly seen, as well as integrated disks 12A, 12B which act to hold thepost 12 upright during sliding.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the invention 100 with the key ring holder 14folded out.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the invention 100 with the key ring holder 14folded in.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the invention 100 with keys 40, 41partially pushed out by slide post 12. recessed area 26 allows the userto grasp key 40 with his or her fingers.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the invention 100 with key 40 fullydeployed and ready for use.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the invention 100 showing all components.

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferredembodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention tothe particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended tocover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may beincluded within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A key holding device comprising: a top coverplate; a bottom cover plate; a plurality of spacer members; a slide pin;a pair of threaded retaining fasteners; said spacers sized to fit withinthe aperture of a standard key; said pair of threaded retainingfasteners sized to fit within said spacers; said top and bottom coverplates each having matching through channels; said through channelslidably engaging said slide pin; said standard keys rotatably retainedwithin said top and bottom cover plate; and said slid pin capable ofmoving said keys out of the perimeter of said top and bottom coverplates so that a person can have access to them.
 2. A key holding deviceas claimed in claim 1 further comprising flat discs fixedly attached tosaid slide pin so that said slid pin remains substantially uprightduring the said sliding action.